Year 7 English Chapter 8: Poetry (Lesson 5)

Year 7 English Chapter 8: Poetry (Lesson 5)

'First Day at School' by Roger McGough

​A millionbillionwillion miles from home

​Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?)

​Why are they all so big, other children? 

​So noisy? So much at home they 

​Must have been born in uniform 

​Lived all their lives in playgrounds 

​Spent the years inventing games 

​That don't let me in. Games 

​That are rough, that swallow you up.

​And the railings.

​All around, the railings.

​Are they to keep out wolves and monsters?

​Things that carry off and eat children?

​Things you don't take sweets from?

​Perhaps they're to stop us getting out

​Running away from the lessins. Lessin.

​What does a lessin look like?

​Sounds small and slimy.

​They keep them in the glassrooms.

​Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine.

​I wish I could remember my name

​Mummy said it would come in useful.

​Like wellies. When there's puddles.

​Yellowwellies. I wish she was here.

​I think my name is sewn on somewhere

​Perhaps the teacher will read it for me.

​Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.

Open Ended

1. Choose 3 details mentioned by the child in 'First Day at School' which shows that he finds the school strange and rather scary. EXPLAIN why.

Open Ended

2. Why do you think the words "To go where?' in Line 2 are put in brackets?

Open Ended

3. The child narrator is obviously confused by what is going on around him and misunderstands some of the words he hears. Quote some of these misunderstandings, explain them and say how they help you to understand his confusion.

Open Ended

4. What impression does the poem give you of the school? In particular, think about the reference to the railings.

Open Ended

5. What are the similarities and differences between the characters in 'Warning' and 'First Day of School'?

Open Ended

6. Both poems are humorous. However, do you think they are making serious points? Give reasons for your answer.

Open Ended

7. Write a poem (4 lines) with the word 'teacher'.

Open Ended

8. Write a poem (4 lines) with the word 'pencil'.